Kuwait Airways Workers Demand Fair Wages

23 May 2023 Kuwait

Employees of Kuwait Airways and its subsidiaries staged a two-hour partial strike on Monday to protest against low wages, non-payment of rewards to frontline workers, violation of labor rights, and mismanagement of earnings. Talal Al-Hajeri, the head of the Workers' Union of Kuwait Airways, stated that the partial strike is just the initial step, and if their demands are not met, they are prepared to take further actions, including disrupting air traffic until their grievances are addressed.

Al-Hajeri highlighted that Kuwaiti employees at Kuwait Airways receive salaries that do not exceed KD 800, while new foreign employees are granted salaries of up to KD 4,000, along with an additional KD 250 as a road allowance. He questioned the rationale behind providing a road allowance in a small country like Kuwait.

Furthermore, Al-Hajeri expressed concerns about the consistent disregard for the rights of Kuwaiti employees, emphasizing that the union aims to avoid any conflicts between Kuwaiti and foreign colleagues. However, he alleged that the management deliberately provokes Kuwaiti employees, leading them to make mistakes in their interactions with their new colleagues, which could result in accountability and legal actions against them.

Fahd Mansour Ajmi, the union's secretary, revealed that the company's board of directors repeatedly ignored previous claims submitted by the union. The decision to initiate the partial strike followed an extraordinary general assembly meeting, during which a salary increase was approved for a select number of senior department officials, while the rest of the Kuwaiti employees were neglected. Ajmi pointed out that when objections were raised against this decision, the board of directors responded by suggesting that the dissenting employees return to government employment. He called upon the Cabinet through media channels to restore the rights of the striking workers, emphasizing that Kuwait Airways is not a privately owned airline but a government carrier.

Captain Mowaffaq Al-Maoud, the Chief Instructor of Pilots at Kuwait Airways, warned that there would be no flights the following week unless their demands were met or if employees were hindered from organizing another sit-in. Al-Maoud also emphasized the need for clarification regarding whether Kuwait Airways employees fall under the private or government sector. He stated, "If we are considered part of the private sector, we should receive labor support. If we belong to the government sector, we demand fair salaries and rights comparable to other government sectors."

Previously, the company's labor union had urged employees to conduct a "civilized" partial strike to ensure orderliness. The union emphasized that the objective of the strike was to convey a peaceful and civilized message without jeopardizing operational safety at the national carrier.

Kuwait Airways assured its customers that the partial strike would not disrupt passenger movement or airport operations. The airline emphasized its coordination with the interior ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to maintain uninterrupted services. Customers were advised to adhere to their flight schedules and stay updated on any changes communicated to them. Additionally, the airline encouraged customers to use official channels for inquiries and communication.

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